I ran across this thread http://www.vintagedrumforum.com/showthread.php?t=8476&highlight=drum+heads discussing drum heads for a brand other than Slingerland.
Rather than drift that thread off to some other brand of manufacturer here is my question.
I have a 1958 set of Slings I am getting ready to finally put back together after a too long restoration project. Originally when I purchased the set used in 1967 the side tom had plastic heads, the snare had a plastic Ambassador batter head and a plastic snare head. The bass drum had two Slingerland calf heads, the small floor tom had one Slingerland batter calf head and a plastic lower head. The large 20" floor tom had a Slingerland calf batter head and a plastic lower head.
I am going to have to replace the batter on the snare, at least one of the heads on the bass, and likely the calf batter on the 20" floor tom.
Something I never liked about the floor toms was the sound was never deep enough. No matter how I tuned them, I still got this shallow sound or tone. Even the 20" floor tom and a shallow, tiny sound. No modifications have ever been made to any of the drums in terms of structure. No extra holes, no modifications. I know some of you swear by calf heads but with the shallow tinny sound, is there a better way to get a deeper "boom" sound.
I am on a limited budget with the economy being in the pits. What is the best drum head for the least?
In terms of the brands that are out there, what is the best for the least for plastic heads and what is the best for the least for calf?